170
height at which a
sink should be
placed above floor level is a matter
of opinion. My own personal opinion looking to the fact that Chinese cooks are not a
strong class of men and that it cannot be easy for them to lift such heavy weights, foot baths or
slop pails full of water to any great height without
spilling some of the water, is that
it would be conducive to comfort and cleanliness to put the
sink at as low a level near the floor as is done
in all modern Hospitals at home. As however J. Jordan
seems to share the opinion of Dr. Wharry that the sinks should be raised
to the level of a man's waist, orders will be given to have this small change effected
however much it may be opposed to my
views.
10. Dr. Wharry complains that instead
of being within view the plumbing of
the closet is inaccessible. This is not intentional
on my part, for owing to the constant tampering
on the part of ignorant native servants in Public Buildings
so much injury is done, I am
compelled to exercise ingenuity
to keep all plumbing out of the reach of their mischievous fingers, the infinitely preferable practice when anything goes wrong being to report to this office whereupon
a competent English plumber is at once instructed to inspect and to attend to the
necessary repairs.
11. Absence of hot water apparatus.
Under this head I have reported to
Government more than once... that it
is thought safe and expedient after the somewhat unfortunate experience had with native servants in other Government buildings, hot water can easily be laid on
all over the building.